INPEX announced its plans to start exploratory drilling operations to explore potential oil and natural gas resources in offshore Shimane and Yamaguchi prefectures located in Japan.

The company said that this program reflects the high expectations of potential resources that resulted from the geophysical exploration and evaluation activities conducted in the areas of offshore Shimane and Fukuoka prefectures in the early 2010s.

According to the statement, the project will be funded by Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC). Drilling is planned to start in March 2022.